ULAP, LPP concerned over chief executives' “massacre”

THE Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) both headed by Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado expressed concern over the dismissal or suspension of local government chief executives. Calling the spate of dismissals and suspensions a “massacre” of local elective officials, Aumentado, in a press statement issued yesterday said “the timing is unfortunately highly questionable because the decisions were rendered and implemented during the election period.”

He said when the video footage showing RMG men breaking the glass in the ground floor of the Iloilo Capitol and pointing their high-powered guns at the unarmed individuals inside “do not speak well of the uncalled-for assault with the use of unnecessary excessive force.” “We cringed in disgust and disappointment,” he said. He emphasized that he does not countenance any wrongdoing of the LPP and ULAP members. “But we appeal that they should be accorded with their rights to due process and the rule of law which are enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

It must be remembered that the local government units (LGUs) under the umbrella of the ULAP and LPP rallied behind the standards of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the most critical juncture of her governance, he noted. “Thus, we expect that in cases involving local chief executives, or any local government official for that matter, their rights under the Constitution must be respected, and that they are not violent men and women who would resort to violence to keep their goals,” he pointed out. He added that he expects that the assault on the Iloilo Capitol will not be repeated and that calmness and sobriety should always reign in similar situations.

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